Should public college be free of cost, or would it create too much liability?

[PoetPhilosopher]

The question up for debate is...

Should public college be free of cost, or would it create too much liability?

My side: I take the stance that yes, free tuition of public college would indeed be best for society in general. It could be costly for government. And it could cause other problems which need to be addressed as they spring up. But one way of paying for it is, if more people go to college, they make more money (in a perfect world), then they have more money that can be taxed. So not only do you potentially end up with a more educated society, but in the long run, there's the hope that free public college will eventually pay for itself by someone's potential 20+ years of work before retirement, should the average be that high, and the additional tax dollars picked up along the way from the higher salaries of said workers.

 

[Twilight Hue]

The question up for debate is...

Should public college be free of cost, or would it create too much liability?

My side: I take the stance that yes, free tuition of public college would indeed be best for society in general. It could be costly for government. And it could cause other problems which need to be addressed as they spring up. But one way of paying for it is, if more people go to college, they make more money (in a perfect world), then they have more money that can be taxed. So not only do you potentially end up with a more educated society, but in the long run, there's the hope that free public college will eventually pay for itself by someone's potential 20+ years of work before retirement, should the average be that high, and the additional tax dollars picked up along the way from the higher salaries of said workers.

It would cheapen professionals and make them a dime a dozen.

 

[YoursTrue]

The question up for debate is...

Should public college be free of cost, or would it create too much liability?

My side: I take the stance that yes, free tuition of public college would indeed be best for society in general. It could be costly for government. And it could cause other problems which need to be addressed as they spring up. But one way of paying for it is, if more people go to college, they make more money (in a perfect world), then they have more money that can be taxed. So not only do you potentially end up with a more educated society, but in the long run, there's the hope that free public college will eventually pay for itself by someone's potential 20+ years of work before retirement, should the average be that high, and the additional tax dollars picked up along the way from the higher salaries of said workers.

I never really thought about it until you posed the question. And now that you have -- yes, I think public college should be free of charge. Because the burden of paying back is very great and oppressive.

 

[YoursTrue]

It would cheapen professionals and make them a dime a dozen.

Wow. Is that just a debate tactic or do you really believe that?

 

[Revoltingest]

Why not consider more emphasis on the trades.
There's a big shortage of skilled trades. The
economy needs them too. Buildings gotta be
maintained, planes gotta fly, computers gotta work.

 

[Audie]

No.
American colleges are overpopulated with people getting useless degrees.

Others should not havevto pay for the 'free"
education.

And books! What a racket. Hundreds of dollsrs. Print them on newsprint

 

[Viker]

Yes. Instead of wasting trillions on the expansionist military industrial complex, imagine if we had spent all that on higher education and other beneficial endeavors. Imagine if more youth could have afforded or just been able to walk right into higher education. It's still possible.

Norway is a fine example.

 

[Viker]

Why not consider more emphasis on the trades.
There's a big shortage of skilled trades. The
economy needs them too. Buildings gotta be
maintained, planes gotta fly, computers gotta work.

This could be under the same mantle of college, higher education, etc.

 

[Quintessence]

I work in higher education. I'm not going to pretend to have expertise on the issues plaguing higher education, but I have an insider view and front row seat to some of it.

The worst thing that has happened to public education at all levels over the past several decades is chronic underfunding by state government. Presuming free college would mean proper public funding of higher education again, and perhaps even proper public funding of primary and secondary schools? It would be the best thing to happen in education in a very long time. A major problem with universities in the states today is they are so underfunded by the state they have to behave like corporations marketing a product. It would let universities get back to their primary purpose and mission instead of being hamstrung by budget concerns.

 

[Revoltingest]

No.
American colleges are overpopulated with people getting useless degrees.

Others should not havevto pay for the 'free"
education.

And books! What a racket. Hundreds of dollsrs. Print them on newsprint

Hey, those degrees in medieval art, women's studies,
anthropology, victim studies, & theater are essential.
Can't run a business without'm!

 

[Revoltingest]

This could be under the same mantle of college, higher education, etc.

The trades are typically just 2 year degrees, eg, HVAC.
The theoretical foundations aren't so rigorous.

 

[Quintessence]

Oooh... trade schools. More attention to those would also be fantastic. I see a fair number of students who really would be better served (and in some cases better paid) with a trade. Trades are great!

 

[Shaul]

Before we try that maybe we could educate the electorate on basic economics so they would understand that there is no free lunch.

 

[Viker]

The trades are typically just 2 year degrees, eg, HVAC.
The theoretical foundations aren't so rigorous.

Why would that matter? Associate degrees are still degrees. We're facing a nursing shortage. The kind that often takes 4 year or more, or the equivalent degrees. Many interested can't really afford it any longer. And many trades are becoming obsolescent by way of technology, narrowing the field of man power. I'm not talking about basket weaving either.

Business degrees could still be in demand. Medical, engineering, etc.

Personally, I can't wait for a Star Trek like civilization.

Before we try that maybe we could educate the electorate on basic economics so they would understand that there is no free lunch.

Yes. "Free" is sort of an illusion. Affordable or at no major personal cost is more to the point.

Takes money to make money.

 

[Viker]

Wow. I tried to do two posts and boom. I may need to go back to school.

 

[Revoltingest]

Why would that matter? Associate degrees are still degrees. We're facing a nursing shortage. The kind that often takes 4 year or more, or the equivalent degrees. Many interested can't really afford it any longer. And many trades are becoming obsolescent by way of technology, narrowing the field of man power. I'm not talking about basket weaving either.

Business degrees could still be in demand. Medical, engineering, etc.

Personally, I can't wait for a Star Trek like civilization.

Yes. "Free" is sort of an illusion. Affordable or at no major personal cost is more to the point.

Takes money to make money.

We're a long way off from having plumbers, carpenters,
HVAC techs, electricians, cabinet makers, & millwrights
being replaced by androids.

 

[Viker]

We're a long way off from having plumbers, carpenters,
HVAC techs, electricians, cabinet makers, & millwrights
being replaced by androids.

Yes. For the most part a lot of those trades are safe for now. My point is that trade schools are a form of higher education. It's inevitable something needs to change and something needs to give way. Why can't college be as affordable and viewed as necessary as trade school? They're both incredibly necessary.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Hey, those degrees in medieval art, women's studies,
anthropology, victim studies, & theater are essential.
Can't run a business without'm!

People with such degrees generally aren't interested in running a business. But those with degrees in art and theater, you tend to find them working in those fields.

 

[Revoltingest]

Yes. For the most part a lot of those trades are safe for now. My point is that trade schools are a form of higher education. It's inevitable something needs to change and something needs to give way. Why can't college be as affordable and viewed as necessary as trade school? They're both incredibly necessary.

Typically, trade schools have been given short shrift.
And colleges have taught a lot of highly "optional"
subjects that could be cut back on.

 

[Revoltingest]

People with such degrees generally aren't interested in running a business. But those with degrees in art and theater, you tend to find them working in those fields.

2 guys I know...1 with a degree in film, the other
with a degree in philosophy have a company
that sells mulch & lumber.